Wayne H Winegarden
Commentary
The Dangers Hidden In CMS’ Drug Pricing Regulation
CMS recently announced the next 15 drugs that will be subject to price negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). These are negotiations in name only because CMS can levy penalties on any manufacturer that fails to comply with the process. Since the penalties include an excise tax ...
California
Newsom promises efficient and accountable state budget, delivers bloated and ineffective spending plan
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday unveiled the initial details of his $322.2 billion state budget proposal for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Based on his presentation, Californians should be worried. He claims that his budget will promote an “efficient and leaner” government, yet his plan is neither. The Newsom budget would ...
Business & Economics
Learn more about Trump's tax plan
How Trump’s Tax Plan Could Affect the Middle Class
Another key factor among the 2017 tax law changes enacted during Trump’s first term was the provision that brought the U.S. corporate income tax rates in line with those levied in Europe and Asia. “This tax reduction improved U.S. economic competitiveness, accelerating income growth for middle-class families,” said Wayne Winegarden, ...
Commentary
Learn more about rebates
Are rebates the best use of tax dollars?
Californians who meet specific income thresholds may be eligible to receive rebates of $4,000 and up to $8,000 if they buy electric heat pumps for their homes. But the Pacific Research Institute, a Pasadena think tank that espouses free-market solutions to policy matters, questions whether the rebate program is a good ...
California
Learn more about California's high gas prices
California’s Regulatory Assault On Drivers Continues
Californians already suffering from significantly higher gas prices will be dismayed to learn that the regulatory state has decided to make things worse. For the rest of the country, the changes stand as a stark warning. Last week, the California Air Resources Board, known as CARB, voted to increase the ...
Commentary
Learn more about how the LCFS will hurt families
Changes to California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Will Cost Families Dearly
The California Air Resources Board should go back to the drawing board rather than expand a policy that would raise gas prices without meaningfully lowering emissions. At issue is an upcoming vote where this group of unelected bureaucrats will update California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, effectively driving prices at the ...
Commentary
Learn more about how environmental lawfare hurts consumers
Private firms, states use tobacco lawsuit playbook in energy cases
But a far more potent weapon is being deployed against energy companies: A cadre of liberal lawyers, environmental activists, and attorneys general from Democratic states and municipalities are systematically suing energy companies and demanding multibillion-dollar payouts. Their efforts have not risen to a top-tier concern in American politics, but that ...
340B
Learn more about how 340B needs reform
The 340B drug discount program is well-intentioned, but must be reformed
Most government support programs provide benefits directly to people, whether it is SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), or housing voucher benefits. But when it comes to healthcare, our government provides healthcare benefits by paying institutions, not patients. Shouldn’t funds follow the patient – not ...
California
Learn more about California's outmigration crisis.
Voting With Their Feet
Twelve years ago, living in the foothills of El Dorado County, Calif., Joanne Kraft enjoyed what many consider the California Dream. Seeing the snow-capped Sierra Mountains in the distance never got old. She and her husband happily shuttled their four children to soccer practice, school activities, and church events. But ...
calrecycle
Learn more about recycling hypocrisy
AG Bonta’s Recycling Hypocrisy Will Harm Consumers
California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta is suing ExxonMobil over accusations of deception. Allegedly, the company deceived Californians for nearly 50 years “by promising that recycling could and would solve the ever-growing plastic waste crisis,” even though ExxonMobil knew that it could never handle “more than a tiny fraction of the ...
The Dangers Hidden In CMS’ Drug Pricing Regulation
CMS recently announced the next 15 drugs that will be subject to price negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). These are negotiations in name only because CMS can levy penalties on any manufacturer that fails to comply with the process. Since the penalties include an excise tax ...
Newsom promises efficient and accountable state budget, delivers bloated and ineffective spending plan
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday unveiled the initial details of his $322.2 billion state budget proposal for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Based on his presentation, Californians should be worried. He claims that his budget will promote an “efficient and leaner” government, yet his plan is neither. The Newsom budget would ...
Learn more about Trump's tax plan
How Trump’s Tax Plan Could Affect the Middle Class
Another key factor among the 2017 tax law changes enacted during Trump’s first term was the provision that brought the U.S. corporate income tax rates in line with those levied in Europe and Asia. “This tax reduction improved U.S. economic competitiveness, accelerating income growth for middle-class families,” said Wayne Winegarden, ...
Learn more about rebates
Are rebates the best use of tax dollars?
Californians who meet specific income thresholds may be eligible to receive rebates of $4,000 and up to $8,000 if they buy electric heat pumps for their homes. But the Pacific Research Institute, a Pasadena think tank that espouses free-market solutions to policy matters, questions whether the rebate program is a good ...
Learn more about California's high gas prices
California’s Regulatory Assault On Drivers Continues
Californians already suffering from significantly higher gas prices will be dismayed to learn that the regulatory state has decided to make things worse. For the rest of the country, the changes stand as a stark warning. Last week, the California Air Resources Board, known as CARB, voted to increase the ...
Learn more about how the LCFS will hurt families
Changes to California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Will Cost Families Dearly
The California Air Resources Board should go back to the drawing board rather than expand a policy that would raise gas prices without meaningfully lowering emissions. At issue is an upcoming vote where this group of unelected bureaucrats will update California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, effectively driving prices at the ...
Learn more about how environmental lawfare hurts consumers
Private firms, states use tobacco lawsuit playbook in energy cases
But a far more potent weapon is being deployed against energy companies: A cadre of liberal lawyers, environmental activists, and attorneys general from Democratic states and municipalities are systematically suing energy companies and demanding multibillion-dollar payouts. Their efforts have not risen to a top-tier concern in American politics, but that ...
Learn more about how 340B needs reform
The 340B drug discount program is well-intentioned, but must be reformed
Most government support programs provide benefits directly to people, whether it is SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), or housing voucher benefits. But when it comes to healthcare, our government provides healthcare benefits by paying institutions, not patients. Shouldn’t funds follow the patient – not ...
Learn more about California's outmigration crisis.
Voting With Their Feet
Twelve years ago, living in the foothills of El Dorado County, Calif., Joanne Kraft enjoyed what many consider the California Dream. Seeing the snow-capped Sierra Mountains in the distance never got old. She and her husband happily shuttled their four children to soccer practice, school activities, and church events. But ...
Learn more about recycling hypocrisy
AG Bonta’s Recycling Hypocrisy Will Harm Consumers
California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta is suing ExxonMobil over accusations of deception. Allegedly, the company deceived Californians for nearly 50 years “by promising that recycling could and would solve the ever-growing plastic waste crisis,” even though ExxonMobil knew that it could never handle “more than a tiny fraction of the ...
